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These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the November, 1999 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.”
Reviewed in this column:
“Let's Wiggle” - The Wiggles
Yummy Yummy” - The Wiggles
These reviews by Fred Koch appeared in the November, 1999 issue of “Chicago Parent Magazine.” Reviewed in this column:
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Get ready to wiggle." So begins the CD Let's Wiggle by The Wiggles, Australia's most successful children's entertainment group ever. What you really should get ready for, parents, is an enormous marketing blitz on behalf of the group, which comes to the U.S. courtesy of Lyrick Studios, the same company that so successfully marketed Barney.
Let's Wiggle and Yummy Yummy (Lyrick Studios, 1999) are the The Wiggles' first two CDs--released in the U.S. simultaneously to coincide with their Fox Family Channel half-hour series (aptly titled "The Wiggles") and their tour (they appeared at FAO Schwarz in Chicago last month). The marketing is slick, make no mistake, and I was skeptical at first. But as I began to listen and watched my 3-year-old singing and dancing along, I realized that The Wiggles actually are enjoyable. They know their audience (ages 3 to 6, in my opinion, though they claim ages 1 to 8). All the songs are simple and short, and invite active participation through singing, dancing and listening. And the musical arrangements are lively and very appropriate for young children. The Wiggles are four "mates" from around Sydney, Australia who started performing in 1991. Three of them met in college where they were studying early childhood education. After graduation, they added a fourth member and began their conquest of Australia. Since then, they have performed hundreds of shows a year and their nine Australian audio titles have racked up sales of more than one million. Go Back to Top Their debut motion picture, The Wiggles Movie, was the second-highest-grossing Australian film for 1998. They have also collected a boatload of prizes, including four prestigious APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association) awards. In addition to the U.S. release of their CDs, The Wiggles are releasing two videos, featuring their songs along with movement games and activities, as well as some footage from a live concert performance. (It's fun to see them perform for an audience--they pull it off so well.) On the videos, the Wiggles--four young, energetic, colorfully-attired guys--are joined by four costumed characters--Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and Captain Feathersword--who interact with the singers and keep the videos lively. Let's Wiggle, my favorite of the two CDs, features a bunch of great songs that I guarantee kids will start singing. The opening cut, "Get Ready To Wiggle," quickly sets the stage for what's to come--lots of fun with songs and active play. "Rock-A-Bye Your Bear" captures the snugly feeling young children experience with their teddy bears; "Here Comes A Bear" is a fun large-motor movement song. Other favorites at our house are "I Look In The Mirror," "Dancing Ride," and "Lechoo Yeladim" (Traditional Hebrew), which are all movement-oriented songs. With my young students at school, I plan to share "Bound For South Australia," a seafaring sing-along, and "The Gypsy Rover," a traditional folk song which I fondly remember from my youth. The CD also includes some nice instrumental selections. Yummy Yummy also serves up many short, fun, engaging songs. The CD kicks off with "Hot Potato," which sounds a bit like the old rock-n-roll classic "See You Later, Alligator." Other faves include "Fruit Salad," "Our Boat Is Rocking On The Sea," and a nice rendition of "Where Is Thumbkin?" You can tell The Wiggles really did their homework, as they reach back and pull out three classic Raffi songs including "Shake My Sillies Out," "Let's Do The Numbers Rhumba," and the traditional "Fais Do Do." These are two very delightful and refreshing recordings. Members of the group wrote most of the songs, and they reflect the group's knowledge of early child development. The songs are child-centered and display a keen sense of what young children need: a mix of lively participatory songs, balanced by some gentle, quieter songs. The CDs and videos, along with other select Wiggles' merchandise, is available at FAO Schwarz stores, Noodle Kidoodle stores or by calling, toll free, 877/2-Wiggles (877/294-4453). They're reasonably priced, too--CDs are $10.98, cassettes are $6.98 and videos are $12.99. More information about The Wiggles is available online at www.thewiggles.com.au Enjoy the music and keep in touch. My e-mail address is fred@bestchildrensmusic.com, or you write to me in care of Chicago Parent. Fred Koch is an award-winning music educator and a nationally recognized children's musician. He lives in Lake Bluff with his wife and young son. Go Back to Top |